Norris Laments F1’s Shift to “Worst Cars Ever” Amidst New Regulations
Defending Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris has voiced strong criticism of the sport’s new regulations for the 2026 season, stating the cars have gone from “the best cars ever” to “probably the worst.” His comments come after qualifying sixth at the Australian Grand Prix, where Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli dominated the session.
Energy Harvesting and the 50-50 Split
The core of Norris’s frustration lies with the 50-50 split between internal combustion engine power and electric power in the new 2026 cars. This requires drivers to meticulously manage energy harvesting throughout each lap, often leading to significant deceleration before corners to optimize battery charge. The absence of the MGU-H, which would have improved energy management efficiency, and a larger battery capacity (constrained by minimum weight regulations) exacerbate the issue.
“I think everyone knows what the problems are,” Norris said, as reported by Motorsport.com. “It’s just the fact it’s a 50-50 split and it doesn’t work. Straight mode means you’ve got a lot of other issues at hand.”
Lift and Coast: A New Reality
Drivers are now forced to “lift and coast” before braking zones to ensure optimal battery charge, sacrificing speed to maximize power availability in subsequent sections of the track. This contrasts sharply with the previous generation of Formula 1 cars, where maximizing speed through corners was paramount.
“You decelerate so much before corners, you have to lift everywhere to create sure the [battery] pack’s at the top. If the pack’s too high, you’re similarly screwed,” Norris explained. The BBC reports Norris further stated, “It’s complicated, but that’s what we have. It doesn’t experience great as a driver.”
Focus on the Steering Wheel
The complexity of energy management has shifted drivers’ focus from the track to their steering wheels, as they constantly monitor battery levels and adjust their driving accordingly. This has even impacted their situational awareness.
Norris revealed he didn’t see debris on the track during qualifying because he was preoccupied with analyzing his steering wheel data. “I spend a lot of time looking at my steering wheel…You have to gaze at the steering wheel every three seconds to understand what will happen, otherwise you end up off the track,” he said.
A Regression in Driving Experience
Norris went on to compare the current cars unfavorably to their predecessors, stating, “We’ve come from the best cars ever built in F1, the most enjoyable to drive, to probably the worst.” He highlighted the limitations imposed by the energy management system, where pushing harder doesn’t always translate to faster lap times.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
While Formula 1 leadership has urged drivers to avoid hasty judgments, acknowledging that teams will adapt and improve energy management techniques over time, the fundamental challenges remain. Norris believes the concerns of the drivers, representing the interests of the sport, should be given significant weight.
“The rules were changed because that’s what the manufacturers seek,” Norris stated. “But if you have probably 18 other drivers complaining…actually, if you have 20 other drivers complaining, I don’t know what’s really better for the sport or not.”
As teams continue to refine their understanding of the new regulations, it remains to be seen whether the 2026 Formula 1 cars can regain the driving enjoyment and performance characteristics that Norris and other drivers seek.